Research Study

The Quincy Public Schools Study of the Impact of UV Photographs on Adolescents' Sun Protection Attitudes and BehaviorsAn innovative research study was initiated by the Children's Melanoma Prevention Foundation and Boston University, in conjunction with the Quincy, MA Public Schools. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a novel teaching tool, UV reflectance photography, on an adolescent's attitude towards sun protection and intent to practice sun protection. Students in one of the two schools received UV Reflectance photographs at baseline. The UV reflectance photographs highlight sun damage on the face. All students received an educational program on sun safety and skin cancer prevention. The project was initiated in the spring of 2006 in Broad Meadow and Central Middle Schools in Quincy, MA and data collection continued into the fall.

The study was developed by Maryellen Maguire-Eisen RN MSN, Executive Director of the Children's Melanoma Prevention Foundation, in collaboration with Dr. Marie-France Demierre M.D., Alan Geller RN, MPh, Howard Cabral PhD, and Jennifer Berger, BS all of Boston University. This study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at Boston University and officials in the Quincy Public Schools. Parental consent and child assent was obtained by the school nurses. Noreen O'Connell RN, MSN, Cathy Sorenson RN, BSN, and Jane Kisilius RN, MSN provided research assistance and invaluable support. The study showed that a one hour SunAWARE class reduced the incidence of sunburn among adolescents.Research grants from the La Roche Posay Corporation and the Dermatology Nurses Association provided partial funding for the study.